Electrical switchboard-signal



Patented Mar. I4, |899.

W. E. MGGFIMICK.A

(Application led Jan. 11, 1898.)

ELECTRICAL SWITCHBUARD SIGNAL.

Invent@ L 7747*@ THE NOHRIS PTS CO y PNOTDLITNG., WASHINGTON. D. C.

(No Model.)

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. MCCORMICK, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRICAL SWITCHBOIARDSIGNAL.

SPECIFIGATION formingpart of Letters ?atent No. 621,126, dated March 14, 1899.

Application filed January 11,1898. Serial No. 666,315. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, W'ILLIAM E. MCCOR- MICK, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Electrical Switchboard- Signals, of which the following is a specification.

In the later forms of electric-telephone switchboards small electric incandescent lamps are employed for the line-signals in place of the electromagnetic annunciators l havinga shutter bearing upon one of its faces the number of the substation-line. These lamp-'signals are superior in several respects to the electromagnetic devices, being automatic in their operation and forming when illuminated distinctly-visible signals which immediately attract the eye of the operator, since they show a bright light which by using colored glass for the inclosing bulb may be :made to display rays of any desired hue.

My invention aims to provide the desirable features of the .electric-lamp signals and to attain the same results in a more economical and convenient manner.

It is well known that in an organized switchboard signals, spring-jacks or switches, and circuit-conductors are attached to and inclosed in a wood casin g, the signals and springjacks being connected to the front upright part of the case and the V'circuit-conductors inclosed in cables which extend through the interior ofthe casi-ng.

In carrying out my invention I provide openings in the front of the casing directly over the spring-jacks, which openings are closed by doors or shutters upon the inner sides thereof, each door or shutter being actuated by an electromagnetic device Whose helices are in circuit with the conductors of the associated circuits. These openings are preferably made in a narrow strip which is inserted in the front of the casing. The helices ofv the electromagnets are secured to the rear side of open metal frames which are placed below the said strips and fastened to the front of the casing, so as to leave an open space between the casing and the electromagnets, whose armatures are adapted to operate the said doors or shutters through 22 22. 4, from which extend the end and center sup- .ports 6 6 and 8 to the front piece 5.

the intervention of an arm or rod which extends between them. Secured to the upper part of the frame and directly over the said open space (between the front of the-casing and the electromagnets) are one or more ordinary electric incandescent lamps, provided with reflectors arranged to throw the lightrays from the lamp downward into the said open space. The whole frontpart of the casing is thus flooded with light all of the time, 6o and when a call is made from any station the electromagnetic device associated with the circuit is operated and the door or shutter swung away from the opening, so that the light streams out therefrom and indicates to the operator a call on that circuit.

The invention also comprises various de tails, which will be more fully explained here inafter.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure lis 7o a sectional view of the upper part of a switch-V board-casing, illustrating the invention. Fig.

2 is a front view of a strip having signal-open; ings. Fig. 3 is a plan view of an open frame for supporting electromagnetic devices, and Fig. 4 is a side view of an electromagnetic dei vice with its frame or shelf.

A represents the switchboard-casing, which consists usually of a metal or wood frame,.to which is secured a wood' front and top and a 8o back removable in sections.

l l 1 represent electromagnetic signal-op; erating devices, and 2 2 2 represent the springjacks or switches. The electromagnetic devices consist of a spool of wire l1, secured to a shelf 4 on the rear of frame 3 by the screws The frame 3 consists of the shelf part 7 7 are extensions from the end supports and are 9o adapted to be secured to the wood uprights 25, forming a part of the switchboard-front. Asis well-known, the springejacks are formed in a strip of insulation, as hard rubber, ten in each strip, and are secured between uprights, as 25. 9 represents one of several other strips of insulation to be ,secured between uprights 25 in alternation with the frames 3, each strip having ten openings l0 to correspond with the strips of ten springroo jacks placed under them lower down. These strips 9 preferably consist of a front plate 19 and a back plate 24, separated by a thin plate of Celluloid or other similar opaque material 20, the three plates being secured to each other. In the rear of each openin g light shutters 18, preferably of aluminium, are hinged at 17, each shutter being provided with an extension-loop 1G,whieh is connected with theV rod 15, which extends to the armature 12 of the eleetromagnet 11, to which it is secured. n a is an incandescent electric lamp provided with a reflector I), secured to the under side of the top of the easing A and arranged to refleet the lamp-rays downward through the open spaces 14 of each shelf, thus illuminating the whole front of the switchboard, at least that portion in the rear of the strips 9. To further light up the part directly in the rear of the openings 10, a 1nirror21 is placed, as shown, in front of the electromagnets 11, whereby the light is reliected in straight lines to the openings.

The interior ot' the casing having been brightly lighted by the lamp or lamps a, the operation ol" the invention is as follows: Sup* pose a call to be sent from a subscriber-s station in any well-known manner. An electromagnet 11 is thereby excited, and the armature 12 is attracted. The rod 15 pushes against the extension-loop 16 of the shutter 18, and the latter is raised to the position shown in dotted lines. Instantly the window 20 glows with the light which is reflected from the interior of the casing, and thus indicates to the operator that a call has been made. When the answering-plug is inserted in the circuit jack or switch, the eleetrornagnet 11 is switched out of circuit in a manner well known, and the armature falling away the shutter 1S drops and closes the opening 10. lVhile it is not absolutely necessary, the celluloid window 2O by absorbing the light-rays into its substance produces a more effective signal than when the rays are allowed to stream out from theopening, as the rays are thus concentrated, and as the substance may be colored a very attractive and sharply-defined signal can be produced.

It will be understood that it is only necessary to light up that part of the interior of the easingin the vicinity of the strips 9, which part may be partitioned from the other portions.

It is intended to associate the invention herein described with any form of circuit over which signals are to be received.

Having now described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination in a switchboard-casing having a series of openings arranged one above another in the front thereof and doors or shutters for closing said openings, of meanssuch as an incandescent electric lamp-located within said casing near the front thereof for illuminating the interior of the same, a series of frames having shelves in the rear and open spaces at the front thereof so that rays of light can pass therethrough, said frames being arranged one above another within the casing and in the rear of the openings through the front thereof, electromagnets on said shelves, and au armature for each magnet adapted to engage and operate a shutter correspondingthereto,substantially as described.

2. The combination in a switchboard-casing, ot' means located near t-he front thereof for illuminating its interior, with a strip and a frame, the strip having a plurality of openings provided with translucent windows in the rear of which are doors or shutters, each frame being open at the front so that rays ot' light may pass therethrough and having a shelf in the rear upon which are secured electromagnets opposite said openings in the strips, each eleetromagnet being provided with an armature having an arm or rod engaging with its corresponding shutter, sub stantially as described.

3. The combination iu a switchboard-cas ing, of means for illuminating its interior; with a strip and a frame; the strip having a plurality of openings, provided with translucent windows, in the rear of which are pivoted shutters; and the frame having a shelf upon which are secured eleot-romagnets opposite said openings each electromagnet being provided with an armature having an arm engaging with its approximate shutter; and a mirror set at an angle between the said shutter and electromagnets.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 18th day of December, 1897.

'WILLIAM E. MCCORMICK. Witnesses:

HENRY C. HALL,

WM. MATHIESEN.

IOO 

